Numbering attachment for printing-presses.



PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

0. G. HARRIS. 'NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL gllwmd'oz (766! rZe6 G [76:10! dis No. 764,289. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

a. G. HARRIS.

NUMBBRING ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 15, 1902., N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETB-SHEET 2.

Patented July 5, 1904-.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orincn.

CHARLES GRANT HARRIS, OF NILES, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TITO TI-llt HARRIS AUTOMATIC PRESS COMPANY, OF NILES, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

NUMBERING ATTACHMENT FOR FRINTING-PFIESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,289, dated July 5, 1904.

Applicatiqn filed May 15, 1902.

fl'r) all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Orr/runes GRANT HATuns, of Niles, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Numbering Attachments for Printing-Presses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a numbering attachment for printing-machines so arranged relatively to the impression-cyl indcr as to effect the numbering of the sheets before they leave such cylinder and without interfering with the work of the type-carrying cylinder, the numbers being printed at such points as may be desired.

A further object is to provide a numbering attachment the die-wheels of which will remain unchanged in the event of failure or interruption in the stock-supply.

A further object isto insure the firm contact of the numbering-dies and avoid all blurring of the imprints thereof; and a further object is to provide for the use of as many numbering-heads as may be desired for munbering the stock either transversely or longitudinall y relative to the line of passage.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view showing in outline the type-carrying and impression cylinders of a printingprcss and the relation thereto of the numbering attachment. Fig. 1 shows the die-wheel rod turned by the switch. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with throw-off device included. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment. Fig. A is an enlarged view of a portion of the numbering-heads, a segment of its supporting-disk being shown. Fig. 5

shows the gearing between the impressioncylindcr and the numbering attachment.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the type-carrying cylinder, and 2 the impressioncylinder, mounted in eccentric bearings 3, so

Serial No. 107,462. (No model.)

that it may be automatically shifted or thrown off in the event of any interruptlon or failure 1 in the stock-supply after the manner of the press known as the Harris automatic.

1 These bearings 3 are shown as connected to a throw-elf device A of the kind embraced by Letters Patent No. 577,405, issued to me and John F. McNutt February 16, 1897, and Letters Patent No. 661,245, likewise issued tome and John F. McNutt November 6, 1900. pointed out in said patents, the bearings of the impression-cylinder are so turned as to insure contact of the type-plates when the holding arm or dog 5 is in engagement with the shoulder 6 of the spring-actuated controlling-shaft 7, and when the dog releases this shaft the partial turning thereof under the action of its spring will through its connection 8 with the eccentric bearingsautomatic ally shift the impression-cylinder to effect the throw-off thereof. This action, as pointed out in said patents, occurs when the upward movement of the :feelcr-lever 9 of the throw off device is not arrested by engagement with stock between the feed-rolls 10. Further rcfercnce to the throw-oil and its connections is unnecessary to a proper understandingof the present invention.

The. numbering attachment embraces a shaft 12, mounted in end hearings in rear of the impression-cylinder and at a point about in line with the contact between the two presscylinders. Upon this shaft are disks 13, any number of which may be used, each disk being adjustable longitudinally of the shaft on which it is held by a spline 14:. The disks may be placed as close together or as far apart as required, and some may be nearer together than others. On each disk at its periphery is mounted one or more numberinghcads 15, but two heads being shown on each disk. The diameter of the numbering attachment, regarding the peripheries of the numbering-wheels as the circumference, is equal to that of the impression-cylinder. The side plates of the numberingheads hug the edge flanges of the disks and are secured in place by screws 16. In placing or removing the heads they are passed through ways 17, formed by cutting out segments of the edge flanges.

The die-wheels of each head are actuated from their centers or axes by a rod 18, common to all the numbering-heads, arranged in parallelism to print simultaneously. Each rod is mounted at its ends in a mannerto permit of its being adjustedconcentrically to the axis of shaft 12 that is, it is supported by arms 19, whose hubs 20 are adjustably held on such shaft. Each partial revolution of the actuating-rod 18 effects the turning of a die wheel or wheels the extent of one number. These wheels are so arranged that they number the sheets in reverse order, as from 50 to 1, for convenience in handling the sheets preliminary to binding or other permanent disposition thereof. It will be noticed that the numbering attachment is so mounted that the numbering-dies will engage the impression-cylinder at a point of about twenty-eight degrees to the horizontal and not interfere or contact with the type-carrying cylinder. The distance between the imprints of the numbers on a sheet is controlled by the distance between the numbering-heads of an individual disk, meaning hereby the numbers of different series, the space between the imprints of the heads of any one series being controlled by the positions of their respective disks on the shaft 12. The point or time of engagement of the numbering-dies is 1 egulated by adjusting the numbering attach ment as a whole relatively to the impressioncylinder. This is accomplished by independently adjusting a gear-wheel 21, by which the gear-wheel of the numbering attachment is actuated, said gear-wheel being secured to the shaft of the impression-cylinder by two screws 22. By loosening these screws the wheel may be turned to bring the attachment as a whole to the desired position relative to theimpression-cylinder, whereupon the gearwheel is relocked by the tightening or replacing of said screws.

Each actuating-rod 18 has a crank-arm 23 at one end carrying a roller 24. In the revolution of the numbering attachment immediately following the imprint of the numbers and the disengagement of the. dies with the cylinder the roller of crank-arm 28 engages a switch 24, causing the rod to be partially rotated, as against the tension of the springs of the numbering-heads, such rod resuming its normal position upon freeing the switch. In this partial rotation of the actuating-rod the die-wheels are turned to bring into printing position the next number or series of numbers. The switch is shown in the form of a cam pivoted at 25 and held in its normal position by a link 26, connected to a trip-arm 27, having a toe 28, which rests upon a cam 29 of the controlling-shaft 7 of the throw-off device. hen this shaft is held by the arm or dog 5, the trip-arm 27 will be raised by cam 29, thus throwing the cam-switch 2 into the path of travel of the crank-arms of actuating-rods 18 to effect the partial revolutions thereof. I/Vhen, however, the throw-ofi device is actuated to throw off the impressioncylinder, the partial revolution of shaft 7 allows arm 27 to lower, the cam-switch being.

likewise lowered out'of the Way of the crankarms of the actuating-rods, with the result that the latter will pass the switch without any change occurring in the die-wheels. this result is secured in the event and by reason of the absence of stock at the time when the die-wheels should ordinarly be advanced, it will be seen that even though the press should continue to be operated the die-Wheels will remain unchanged until the throw-off device is reset and stock is again being fed. Hence the next sheet that passes through the press will receive its proper number regardless of the continued operation of the machine during the interruption in the feed-supply.

I have conventionally shown at 30 the inkrolls for the numbering attachment, which rolls usually contain ink of a diflerent color from that of the rolls for the type of the typecarrying cylinder. In practice a perforating or scoring deviceis mounted at a suitable point to secure or perforate each sheet longitudinally or transversely, or by using two such devices the sheets may be successively perfo rated in both directions. 7

From what has been said the advantages of my invention are apparent. It is designed,

primarily, for making several imprints of cor responding numbers upon sheets preparatory to forming them into pages for counter-books,

such as are used in retail mercantile establishments. It is obvious that many numbering-heads may be mounted on each disk and that many disks may be arranged side by side, according to the number of imprints to be made in one revolution of the numbering attachment. The sheet upon which the printing isdone is perforated or scored between the several numbers, as is Well known. preferred form of numbering-head may be employed, the numbers being advanced or moved one point in each revolution of the attachment, the diewheels of each series of heads being simultaneously actuated by a single rod common to several heads. By turning the several die-wheels from their centers or axes there is no danger of the dies blurring the sheets, as usually happens when the diewheels are turned as the result of and by their contact with the stock.

I claim as my invention I 1. The combination with a printing-press, and means for feeding separate pieces of stock Any thereto, of a numbering attachment having a series of numbering-dies, means for rotating the attachment, means for automatically actuating the numbering-dies in each revolution of the attachment, and means for automatically throwing off such actuating means in the event of any interruption in the feed of the stock, as set forth.

2. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder, an impression cylinder, means for feeding separate pieces of stock, and throw-off mechanism designed to be actuated in the event of any interruption in the feed-supply, of a numbering attachment having a series of numberingdies, means for operating the attachment, means for automatically actuating the numbering-dies after each imprint thereof, and a connection between such means and the said throw-off mechanism for preventing the operation of such actuating means in the event of interruption in the feed of the stock, as set forth.

3. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder, an impression-cylinder, and throw-oif mechanism designed to be actuated in the event of absence of stock at a predetermined point, of a numbering attachment mounted in rear of said cylinder, means for rotating said attachment, said attachment having at its periphery one or more series of numbering-heads arranged in parallelism, means common to all the numbering-heads of a series for moving or advancing the die-wheels thereof, means independently of the numbering attachment for actuating such last-mentioned means once in each revolution of the numbering attachment,

and a connection between such actuating means and said throw-off mechanism, substantially as set forth.

4:. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder, and an impression-cylinder, of a numbering attachment mounted in rear of said cylinders, means for rotating said attachment, said attachment having at its periphery one or-more series of numbering-heads arranged in parallelism, means common to all the numbering-heads of a series for moving or advancing the die-wheels thereof, means for actuating such last-mentioned means once in each revolution of the numbering attachment, and means for automatically switching and throwing off such actuating means in the event of any irregularity in the feed-supply, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder and an impression-cylinder, of a numberingattachment having one or more rotary disks, one or more numbering-heads adjustably mounted on the periphery thereof and designed to cooperate with said impression-cylinder, means for auto matically moving or advancing the die-wheels of the numbering-heads after they have so coacted, and means for automatically shifting said last-mentioned means so the die-wheels will not be moved or advanced in the event of any interruption in the feed-supply, as set forth.

6. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder and an 1111- iression-cylinder, of a numbering attachment having a rotary shaft, a series of disks adjustably mounted thereon, numbering-howls on the peripheries of each disk arranged in series, actuating-rods, one rod being common to each head of a series, and means independent of the impression-cylinder for successively: operating such rods in the revolution of the shaft, as set forth.

7. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder, and an impression-cylinder, of a numbering attachment having a rotary shaft, a series of disks adjustably mounted thereon, numbering-heads on the peripheries of each disk arranged in series, actuating-rods for each series of heads, means for operating such rods in each revolution of the shaft, and means for automatically shifting said last-mentioned means so the rods will not be actuated in the event of any irregularity in the feed-supply, as set forth.

8. The combination with a rotary shaft, of disks mounted thereon, a series of numberingheads adjustably mounted on the peripheries thereof, the numbering-heads of the several disks being arranged in series, an actuatingrod for each series of heads, bearings for such rods adjustably mounted on said shaft, and means for actuating the rods in each revolution of the shaft, as set forth.

9. The combination with a rotary shaft, of disks mounted thereon, a series of numberingheads adjustably mounted on the peripheries thereof, the numbering-heads of the several disks being arranged in series, an actuatingrod for each series of heads, adjustable bearings for such rods, means for actuating the rods in each revolution of the shaft, and means for automatically shifting said last-mentioned means so the rods will not be actuated in the event of any irregularity in the feed-supply, as set forth.

10. The combination with a printing-press having a type-carrying cylinder, an impression-cylinder, and throw-off mechanism designed to be actuated in the event of any irregularity in the feed-supply, of a numbering attachment having numbering-heads mounted thereon in series, actuating-rods common to the heads of each series having cranked ends, a switch with which such cranked ends are designed to engage for actuating said rods in each revolution of the numbering attachment, and means connecting said switch to said throw-off mechanism to prevent such actuation of the rods in the event of any irregularity in the feed-supply, as set forth.

11. The combination with a printingin'ess having a type-carrying cylinder, an impression-cylinder, and throw-oil mechanism designed to be actuated in the event of any ir 'regularity in the feed-supply, such mechanism having a spring-actuated shaft, of a num bering attachment having numbering-heads mounted thereon in series, actuating-rods common to the heads of each series having cranked ends, a pivoted cam-switch normally projected into the line of passage of said cranked ends, a pivoted arm, a cam on said spring-actuated shaft with which said arm is designed to engage, and a link connectingsaid arm to said cam-switch, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with the shaft, and the disks mounted thereon, of numbering-heads adjustable on said disks, each numbering-head having side plates formed with openings and a series of numbering die-wheels, actuatingrods for the latter passed through the side plates and die-wheels, bearings for said rods adjustable concentrically to said shaft, means for partially turning such rods, and means automatically actuated for shifting the lastmentioned means to prevent the turningof the rods, as set forth.

13. The combination with the shaft, and the disks mounted thereon, of numbering-heads adjustable on said disks, each numbering-head having side plates formed with openings and a series of numbering die-Wheels, actuatingrods for the latter passed through the side plates and die-Wheels, arms axially adjustable on said shaft forming bearings for said rods, means for partially turning such rods, and means automatically actuated for shifting the last-mentioned means to prevent the turning of the rods, as set" forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses. I

CHARLES GRANT HARRIS.

\Vitnesses:

J. GILBERT, F. G. ALLEN. 

